Bachelor's Degrees in Anesthesiology

<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Career Overview</b></td><td>Requires a bachelor's degree in a pre-med track or nursing school; master's degree and medical school programs available</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Nurse Anesthesiology Program</b></td><td>Requires a bachelor's degree in nursing and RN license; courses include pharmacology and pathophysiology</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Anesthesiologist Program</b></td><td>Requires completion of a medical degree and clinical work in areas such as pain management and surgical care</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Online Options</b></td><td>No fully online programs, but some nurse anesthesia programs offer online classes</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Certification Requirements</b></td><td>Must pass the American Board of Anesthesiology's certification exam to work as an anesthesiologist</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)</b></td><td>$271,440* (<i>for anesthesiologist</i>)</td></tr> <tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2019-29)</b></td><td>0%* (<i>for all anesthesiologists</i>)</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i> </p><h3 id="section---WhatAreThePrerequisitesForAnesthesiologyProgramsForNurses">What Are the Prerequisites for Anesthesiology Programs for Nurses?</h3><p>If you decide to pursue a master's degree in anesthesiology, you'll need to be a registered nurse (RN) and hold a bachelor's degree in nursing. Master of Science programs in anesthesia typically take two years to complete, and you'll be required to complete clinical training in addition to your coursework. </p><p>You'll work in a hospital or clinic alongside anesthesia professionals and doctors to obtain course credits. Required courses that you'll take on campus typically include pharmacology, human anatomy and pathophysiology. </p><h3 id="section---WhatAreTheMedicalSchoolRequirements">What Are the Medical School Requirements?</h3><p>If you wish to become an anesthesiologist and you don't have nursing training, you'll need to complete a residency program in anesthesiology at a medical school. During your residency, you will be required to participate in a total of four years of training. </p><p>Your first year in the program will typically consist of general medical training, while the remaining three years are focused on clinical work with anesthesia, pain management and surgical care. You'll perform patient rounds, participate in surgeries and be evaluated in areas such as competency, professional behavior, anesthesiology skills and personal development. </p><h3 id="section---CanICompleteTheseProgramsOnline">Can I Complete These Programs Online?</h3><p>Although you won't be able to complete an entire degree program in anesthesiology online, many programs include an online component. For example, you may take some courses in a nurse anesthesia program online; these courses will include notes, assignments and media that you will need to download. You'll need to have a reliable Internet connection, as well as software programs to view different types of files. </p><h3 id="section---WillIHaveToBecomeCertified">Will I Have to Become Certified?</h3><p>All states require medical professionals to be certified in their particular field, so you will need to qualify for the American Board of Anesthesiology's (ABA) certification exam and pass it before you can work as an anesthesiologist (<i>www.theaba.org</i>). In order to maintain your certification, you'll have to participate in continuing education programs and undergo periodic assessments in areas such as patient care, communication skills and practice-based professional development.</p>